Sahityasamalochak Jugalkishor Mukhtar

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text about Jugalkishor Mukhtar, based on the provided pages:

This document is an excerpt from a larger work titled "Arvachin Jain Jyotirdharo" (Modern Jain Luminaries), specifically focusing on the life and work of Pandit Shri Jugalkishor Mukhtar, also known by his pen name "Yugveer" (Hero of the Era).

Introduction:

Pandit Shri Jugalkishor Mukhtar is presented as a highly respected scholar, litterateur, and literary critic who dedicated his life to serving Jain culture, literature, and society with unwavering sincerity. He is lauded for his selfless service, driven by a sense of duty rather than any desire for wealth or recognition. His composition "Meri Bhavna" (My Feelings) is predicted to remain immortal in people's minds for ages. He was also an excellent researcher of Oriental studies, a successful critic, editor, and writer, making significant contributions to Jain culture. He was a great admirer of Acharya Samantabhadra of the second century and played a crucial role in bringing the literature and life of Acharya Samantabhadra to light. For over seven decades, through his diverse literary creations, Pandit Shri Jugalkishor Mukhtar truly lived up to his pseudonym "Yugveer."

Birth, Childhood, and Education:

Born in 1934 Vikram Samvat (corresponding to the late 19th century) in Sarsawa, Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, Jugalkishor started his education in Urdu and Persian at the age of five. He simultaneously studied Hindi and Sanskrit. His exceptional intellect and reasoning abilities impressed his teachers, who believed them to be divine gifts. He mastered Urdu and Persian much faster than ordinary children, demonstrating a unique aptitude. He also learned English in his spare time from the local postmaster and diligently studied Jain scriptures in the Jain Pathshala. He completed his schooling up to the ninth grade in Sarsawa and then passed his tenth-grade examination privately.

From a young age, he devotedly studied Jain scriptures and, even as a child, used to read scriptures during the Dashalakshani festival. Despite being married at the young age of 13-14 and having to take on household responsibilities, his thirst for knowledge remained insatiable. His wife was supportive of his intellectual pursuits. He excelled in Hindi and Sanskrit through diligent study.

The Turning Point in His Life:

A significant event occurred around 1899 when he was in the fifth grade. During a celebratory occasion at his home, when invited women began singing vulgar songs, the young Jugalkishor was deeply displeased. His innate appreciation for Indian culture led him to stop the inappropriate singing and compose a devotional congratulatory song himself, using his poetic talent. This act was not for personal ego but to eradicate vulgarity stemming from ignorance and uphold Indian culture. This incident sparked a gradual development of his poetic abilities and awakened his literary spirit.

Although his initial education was in Urdu and Persian, his foresight led him to recognize Hindi as the primary language for disseminating Indian literary wealth. Consequently, he turned towards Hindi, producing essays, poems, and other literary works.

Beginning of Livelihood:

After embracing married life, Jugalkishor was determined to earn his own living, believing in the significance of facing life's struggles head-on. He began working as an orator for the Bombay Provincial Congress, aiming to raise public awareness. He received a salary for this work, which started in November 1899 and lasted for about a month and 14 days. However, he found accepting payment for a sacred duty like propagating religion distasteful, feeling that true self-respect lay in doing such work selflessly. This conviction led him to dedicate himself to literary service without any temptation.

Independent Profession:

Driven by a desire for an independent profession, he chose the path of a Mukhtar (a legal practitioner). In 1902, he passed the Mukhtarship examination and began his practice in Saharanpur. In that era, with fewer lawyers, legal fees were high, making Mukhtars a preferred choice for ordinary people. In 1905, he moved to Deoband and continued his practice there. Alongside his legal career, he actively participated in social service. Contrary to the common belief that a successful Mukhtar must be deceitful, Shri Jugalkishorji never resorted to lies. Despite this, he was considered a high-caliber Mukhtar, a rarity among those with such integrity. Clients entrusted their cases to him with confidence. Even while dedicating a significant portion of his time to the study of literature, art, and archaeology, he fulfilled his professional responsibilities, which contributed to his renowned legal practice and brought him both wealth and fame.

Experiences in Household Life:

Pandit Shri Jugalkishorji's married life was peaceful and happy, supported by his devoted wife. His wife's sacrifice played a crucial role in his scholarly pursuits and intellectual development.

In 1899, a daughter, "Sanmatik Kumari," was born, who was intelligent and studious. Sadly, she passed away from plague at the tender age of 8. In 1917, another daughter, "Vidyavati," was born. However, tragedy struck again. On March 15, 1918, his wife of 25 years succumbed to pneumonia, leaving him a widower. He was now solely responsible for raising his daughters. The proverb "Misfortune never comes alone" proved true as his daughter Vidyavati also fell ill and passed away on January 28, 1920. These events marked the end of his family and domestic life, shattering his aspirations. The immense grief from these personal losses was profound, but the self-disciplined Mukhtar resolved to face these circumstances with great fortitude. He channeled his energy into his literary service with renewed vigor, seeing his freedom from domestic ties as an opportunity to accelerate his spiritual and literary sadhana.

As a Journalist and Editor:

Jugalkishorji's role as a journalist and editor was a vital aspect of his multi-faceted talent. He believed that upholding truth in literature was the most sacred duty of a journalist. He was known for fearlessly presenting his original thoughts and arguments to society. His journalistic career began on July 1, 1907, when he took charge of editing the Jain Mahasabha's mouthpiece, "Jain Gazette." His editing style encompassed language research, social reform, and evidence-based compilation. His editing was highly appreciated, leading to a significant increase in the "Jain Gazette's" readership. However, his clear, impartial, and fearless opinions displeased societal leaders, forcing him to resign as editor on December 31, 1909.

About ten years later, Shri Nathuramji Premi appointed him as the editor of "Jain Hiteshi." He served in this capacity with dedication for two years until 1921.

On April 21, 1929, he established the Sumantbhadra Ashram in Delhi and, from November, began editing and publishing the monthly magazine "Aneka-ant." The editing of "Aneka-ant" showcased his mature and scholarly style. His editorial policy was guided not by popular opinion but by the welfare of the people.

On the Path of Renunciation:

During his time editing the "Jain Gazette," Panditji engaged in the serious study of Jain literature. This deepened his understanding and made his Mukhtarship practice feel burdensome. He found it increasingly difficult to spend his precious time on earning money, preferring to dedicate his remaining time to research and social service. He often urged Babu Surajbhanu, a lawyer, to leave their legal practices and devote themselves entirely to research and social service. This persuasion eventually bore fruit. On February 12, 1914, Babu Surajbhanu resigned from his legal practice, and Pandit Jugalkishorji renounced his Mukhtarship. Their decision to leave lucrative professions surprised many. February 12, 1914, is considered a significant day for the Jain Ashram, as it marked Panditji's complete dedication to literary service.

The Historic Work of "Granthpariksha" (Book Examination):

Through his in-depth study of Jain scriptures, Panditji discovered that some Bhattaraks had introduced distortions contrary to Jain principles into the texts. He identified the sources of these interpolations, publishing his findings in the four-part book "Granthpariksha." The first two parts, published around 1916, challenged many traditional beliefs, provoking criticism and accusations of religious betrayal from various scholars. However, no scholar could present evidence to refute his findings.

The third part of "Granthpariksha" was published in 1928. In its preface, Pandit Shri Nathuramji Premi lauded it as a unique critical work, unprecedented in its thoroughness and research, calling it a formidable challenge for opponents. The immense dedication involved in this work is highlighted by the fact that he remained awake for a month and a half without sleep, yet completed the composition with engaging style and without any fatigue.

"Meri Bhavna" - An Immortal Composition:

Even if "Yugveerji" had only composed the renowned poetic work "Meri Bhavna," he would have achieved immortality. This poem was first published in the April-May 1916 joint issue of "Jainlipi." The poem has been printed in booklet form around 5 million times and translated into English, Sanskrit, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, and other languages, testifying to its immense popularity and universal applicability. This poem symbolized Mukhtarji's life's spiritual journey. In the Jain community, "Meri Bhavna" and "Yugveerji" are considered two sides of the same coin. It is recited daily in thousands of families and is widely used as a form of collective prayer. The composition clearly reflects sentiments of spiritual, social, and national upliftment. The eleven verses of "Meri Bhavna" encapsulate the essence of many great texts in a concise manner, admired for both their sentiment and word artistry.

Panditji's Historical Literary Endeavors:

Pandit Shri Jugalkishorji established the Samantabhadra Ashram in Delhi on April 21, 1929. A year later, it was relocated to Sarsawa, where it was renamed Veerseva. Thus, Panditji's birthplace became the center of his sadhana.

Summarizing his lifelong literary pursuits, he can be described as a versatile genius with talents in literature, essay writing, criticism, history, and journalism. He clarified historical confusions within Jainism, such as establishing that Patrakesar was a distinct figure preceding Vidyarnanda and Arkanka. He also provided evidence to identify Kaviraj Shri Rajamallaji as the author of "Panchadhyayi." He illuminated the history of the great Acharya Swami Samantabhadra, which was previously shrouded in darkness, by producing an authentic historical account through two years of dedicated research, earning widespread praise from scholars. He also compiled a list of lost Jain texts and announced rewards for their discovery, leading to the recovery of some.

He authored books like "Vivah Kshetra Prakash" in support of inter-caste marriages and "Jin Pujadhikar Mimansa" in support of idol worship. These writings led to his ostracization from his community, though the decree was not practically enforced.

To study "Dhavala" and "Jaydhavala," Panditji spent three and a half months of intense work at the Jain Siddhant Bhavan in Arrah, producing 1000 pages of notes summarizing both texts.

He also addressed the various opinions and confusions regarding the time of Lord Mahavir, presenting a universally acceptable synthesis through diligent study. His research into the date of Vira Shasan Jayanti (the first anniversary of Lord Mahavir's discourse) is considered a significant achievement of his life, identifying it as the first day of the dark fortnight of the month of Shravana.

Achievements of Personality and Works:

Acharya Shri P. Jugalkishorji's personality can be described as that of a disciplined ascetic devoted to self-study. He possessed immense self-reliance and confidence. He always had faith in empirical evidence and never accepted superstition or laxity in his life. Wherever he encountered blind faith, hypocrisy, or distortions, he confronted them with unwavering resolve and fearlessly refuted them. His life exemplified the virtues of hard work and perseverance, essential for human upliftment. He was a rare individual who pursued Jinvani (the teachings of Jina) with such diligence and detachment. Truly, his mind was that of a scholar, his heart of a yogi, and his body of a laborer. Through his literary endeavors in public service and literary service, Jugalkishorji accomplished so much historical and significant work that he will remain immortal in public tradition for centuries. The flow of knowledge from him was constant. As a knowledgeable person, social reformer, diligent poet, essayist, historian, and litterateur, his multi-faceted genius will continue to inspire new generations for ages to come.